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10 Things to Do in Calgary in 24 Hours

The ultimate travel guide to Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Don’t miss this list of 10 things to do in Calgary in 24 hours.

Recently I traveled to Alberta, Canada for the first time to explore Banff & Lake Louise for my travel series, What to Eat & How to Burn it Off. Before driving to Banff, I had the opportunity to spend 24 delicious hours in Calgary, home to the largest international airport in Alberta. While I wasn’t planning on dedicating an entire blog post to my short visit to Calgary, the city simply has so much to offer that I can’t justify squeezing it into another post.

My friends, if you have the opportunity to visit Calgary, or want to extend your visit to/from Banff after arriving or before flying home, here is my ultimate list of 10 things to do in Calgary in 24 hours! Trust me, you don’t want to miss this cosmopolitan hotspot hidden in Canada’s wonderland.

Check-in to the Hotel Arts upon arrival. This trendy, modern oasis is the ultimate blend of luxury, comfort and high-level customer service. Don’t miss the gorgeous art scattered throughout the rooms, hallways and public spaces.

Walk around the city to check out the outdoor sculptures. You can find a complete list of the public artworks as well as a guided map for your walk here.

Take advantage of happy hour specials at Raw Bar. Located inside the main lobby of Hotel Arts, be sure to check out their daily specials such as $.99 cent oysters and discounted cocktails.

Eat dinner at Foreign Concept. If you crave Vietnamese food as much as I do, you will love this clean, modern and fresh Vietmodern hot spot. Pro Tip: Order the imperial roll pictured above left.

Grab a night cap at Proof. Located right around the corner from both the hotel and Foreign Concept, Proof is known for their craft cocktail culture and old-fashioned service. Sign me up.

Start your day with breakfast at Blue Star Diner. I’m a sucker for starting my day on a healthy note and Blue Star did not disappoint. Their tasty menu features locally sourced ingredients and endless allergy-friendly options such as gluten free toast or grilled tomatoes to go with your eggs.

Get your cardio on at The Sweat Science boxing studio. A total highlight of my visit to Calgary, I had so much fun taking my first ever boxing lesson.

Not a fan of private lessons? No worries, The Sweat Science also offers group classes set to music in its heavy bag studio.

Refuel with coffee and a sweet treat at ROSSO Café in Inglewood. Of course all that boxing can leave you feeling a bit sleepy. Not to worry, you can grab coffee right around the corner at ROSSO.

Enjoy lunch at Ten Foot Henry. Once you clean up after boxing, you’re going to be hungry. Trust me. Ten Foot Henry, named one of Calgary’s Top 10 Best Restaurants, was one of the best meals I’ve probably ever had in my life. I was pretty much sold when they brought out the whipped feta cheese smeared on crusty grilled sourdough with fresh herbs.

Rent a car and head to Banff for your next adventure. Perhaps the best part about Calgary is the fact that it’s just a short one hour and 15 minute drive from one of the most beautiful destinations in the world: Banff & Lake Louise.

For those of you who have been to Calgary, what did I miss? Leave your suggestions in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you! If there are any other destinations you’d like to see me cover, don’t hesitate to ask.

Your passport is waiting.

Disclosure: Travel Alberta paid for my travel and hosted me while visiting Calgary. I was not compensated to write this post and all thoughts are my own. Photography by Alejandro Photography.